Convertible car.



PATENTED MAY '7, 1907.

J. A. BRILL. CONVJEIR'IIBLEv CAR.

APPLIGATION FILED Nov. zo. 1900,

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

rn: Nomzls PETER: co., wAsHmaroN, n. c.

JOHN A. BRILL, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

CQNVERTHBLE GAR.

Speceaton of Letters Patent.

Patented May '7, 1907.

Application led November 20, 1906. Serial No. 344,190.

T0 all whom, 'ft 'mv/y concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN A. BRILL, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city and county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Convertible Cars, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to convertible cars wherein movable side panels are provided which are adapted to pass below the plane of the car floor, and in which there is a step provided extending within the lateral limits of the car as delined by the stanchions. As in such constructions, there will be a space between the car floor or sill when the panel of the latter is lowered, I have provided a novel filler to close the space when the panel is lowered, which iiller is carried by the panel, and operates itself to close the space as the panel is lowered, so that no attention need be given to the ller.

My present invention is an improvement on a portion of the device shown in my application serially numbered 323,439 and filed the 26th day of June, 1906.

In the drawings forming part of this application Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a car showing my improvements applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a section through a portion thereof showing the panel in its lowest position. Fig. 3 is a section on line 3 3 of Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 4 is a section of the parts shown in Fig. 2, showing the operation of the iller as the panel is lowered. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one end of the filler. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of the panel. Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing amodilication of the end of the filler. Fig. S is a plan vi ew of Fig. 11, showingthe application of the modified structure. Fig. 9 is a section taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 13. Fig. 10 is a sectional view showing the action of the filler as the panel is being lowered. Fig. 1 1 is a cross-section showing the position of the filer when the panel is lowered. Fig. 12 is a similar view showing the action of the filler as the panel is being lowered. Fig. 13 is a similar view showing how the filler rests against panel as the latter is being raised. Fig. 14 is a section showing the invention in its broader aspect, and Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the end of the modiiied form of filler.

In cars of this construction, the side sill is formed of angle metal so as to provide a longitudinal and a vertical web; the longitudinal web forming a step for the car extending within the lateral limits of the car as defined by the stanchions. Various forms of such cars have been constructed, to which my improvements may be applied, but in the one herein illustrated for the purpose of showing the application of my invention, the car sill consists` of a lower web 1 extending longitudinally, and a vertical web 2 at right angles to the former. If desired, the wooden filler 3 is secured to the vertical web 2. Above the web 2 and the iiller 3, there is provided a suitable flooring 4. The stanchions 5 are secured upon the web 1, preferably by means of metal pockets 6, so that they find their support upon the web 1 and are also secured to the web 2 by means of bolts 7 which pass through the metal pockets, through the stanchion ends and the web 2,' the stanchions are provided with vertical grooves 8, which are continued by grooves 9 in the metal pockets, so that the panel 10 may be lowered to a point below the plane of the car ioor.

In the form herein illustrated, the panel 10 is adapted to pass down and rest upon the sill web I when so lowered there is a space between the panel and the car iioor, which for many reasons should be closed when the car is used as a closed car. For that reason I have provided a filler for closing the space which, in this present invention, is secured to the panel itself and moves therewith, so that as the panel is stored in the roof pocket, or other suitable storing place, the iiller will be carried with it. Another feature of my invention is that as the panel is lowered to its lowermost position, the filler is so constructed that it will, of itself, return to a longitudinal position and properly close the space from the panel to the iioor and between the stanchions.

In Figs. 1. to 6 inclusive, the iiller consists of a iiat plate 11 which is curved slightly upwardly at 11a, and it is secured to the panel by means of a hinge connection so that it may be turned from a vertical position against the panel to a substantially horizon- IOO tal position. Means for securing the plate to the panel, as herein-l constructed, consists of ears 12 at the end of the plate which are flush with the ends thereof and are offset and provided with apertures 13. ,Ilhere is one at each end of the plate 11, and on the panel there are secured extending ears'14 havinga ertures 15 which are adapted to aline with t e aperturesl. rilheears 14 aresecuredV to the panels by screws 16 or other suitable means, and are sufl'iciently'distant from each otherv to straddle they ears. 12 and beflush y with the edge of the panel. Suitable pins1-7 are secured. to the ears 12 and. 14, so as to form a hinge on. which the plate 11` moves.

@n the opposing faces of. the stanchions, and

preferably on theA pocket forming a component part of the stanchions, 1 provide a projection which will contact with. the plate 11 as the panell is lowered and which will cause the plate to swing into a horizontal position as the panel reaches its lowermost position. The projection 18, which is secured against the face of the metal pocket 6 by means of' bolts 19, which secures the projection to the web 2 and against the metal pocket is provided with a circular upper surface 20, and a similar circular recess 21. As the panel is lowered, as shown in Fig. v4, the

curved edge l1at vof the plate contacts with at its end` with a vertical web 23 from which projects a horizontal extension 24 parallel with plate 11, substantially Z-shaped in cross-section. projection 25 provided on the face of the post which` will engage the projection 24. as the panel is lowered, so that it will rock on the projection 25 and cause the plate 11 tol assume a horizontal position, as shown in Fig. 11. Except for this extension, the plate and the construction is otherwise the same.

I believe I am the first to provide a movable side panel` with a plate adaptedv to close the space between the panel and the car floor when the panel is lowered, particularly in providing such an extension which will beself-operative.

Having described my invention, what I claim is:-

1. A car having a floor, stanchions, and movable panels beyond the floor limits, anda filler for the space between the panel and.

floor, carried by thepanel.

In this case there is a small A ear having a floor, stanchions, and movable side panels beyond the floor limits, and a filler for the space between the panel and floor, said filler being hinged to said panel.

3. A car having a floor, stanchions and movable panels beyond the floor limits, and a filler for the space between the panel and Hoor, carried' by the panel, and meansfor engaging the filler when lowered to form a support therefor.

4. A car having a floor, stanchions and movablepanelsbeyond the floor limits, and a llerfor the space between. the panel and` Hoor, said filler being secured to and carried by the panel and adapted to lie vertically near the panel when the latter is raised, and

to` be turned horizontally when the panel is lowered.

5. A car having a floor, stanchions and movable panels beyond the-iloorlimits, and a filler for the space between the panel andv floor, said filler being secured to and` carried by the panel and adapted to lie vertically,

and means whereby the lowering of thepanel.

Will; cause the filler to assume a horizontal position.

6. A car having a floor, stanchions and a movable panel beyond the oor limits, a filler carried by the panel and adapted to lie vertically, and projections. on the opposing faces of the stanchions adapted to engage the filler and turn it to a horizontal position.

7. A car having a [ioor, stanchions and a movable panel, beyond the floor limits, ailler carried by the panel and adapted to lie vertically, and projections on the posts having concave upper surfaces. on which the filler engages and by which it is turned to a horizontalv position.

8. A convertible car having a floor, stanchions, and side steps extending within the lateral limits of. the car as defined,y by the stanchions, a movable side panel extending below the plane of thefloor and` a ller carried by the panel. and adapted to close the opening between the panel and floor.

9. A convertible car having a` floor stanchions, and side steps extending within the lateral limits of the car-as definedby the stanchions, a movable panel between the stanchions, extending below the plane of the floor andr a filler hinged to thel panel and adapted to be movedhorizontally, and; means on the stanchions for engaging the filler and causing it tomove to a horizontalv position as the panel is lowered..

10. A convertible oar having a` floor, stanchions and side steps extending withinthe lateral limits of the car, a movablepanel be-l tween the stanchions, and a '.Hller hinged to the panel and composed of a plate, and an offset projection 24, and means on the stan.-

IOO

IXO

IZO

chion for engaging the projection 24 to cause Ward a common meeting point, and means the plate to move to a horizontal position. on the stanchion for engaging the Web 24.

, ll. A conxertible cail llaviiiilg it lloor, stan- Signed this 7th day of November, 1906. chions and si e ste s Wit 'n t e ateial limits of the car, a Inovable panel between the stan- JOHN A" BRILL' chions and a filler hinged to the panel and Witnesses: composed of a plate 1l, and a Web 24, the l TERRENOE S. MCCUSKER, plane of the Weloand plate being directed to- HENRY C. EsLING. 

